Kruzic Communications, Inc.
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About Us
Staff Bios
Cathy L. Kruzic
President
Cathy’s nearly 30 years of experience in public relations,
communications and marketing for travel, tourism, hospitality and the sports
industry blend to provide the perfect portfolio of knowledge to assist
others interested in improving their market share and public perception. An
active member of several professional organizations including the Society of
American Travel Writers (SATW), USTA (formerly Travel Industry Association
of America - TIA) , VISIT Denver (formerly Denver Metro CVB) and the
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA). Cathy was elected national
treasurer for SATW in 2008 and she has served on and co-chaired various
committees for professional and trade organizations throughout her career.
Cathy’s work has earned her many awards and accolades throughout her 30
years. In October 2002, 5280 magazine featured Cathy in an article
highlighting five of Denver 's top public relations professionals.
A graduate of Iowa State University, Cathy enjoyed brief careers in
education and banking before delving into the world of travel and tourism,
where she held such positions as State Travel Director (Kansas) and Vice
President of Tourism (Denver Metro CVB).
Amy Larson
Account Services Director
Amy joined forces with Cathy nearly 14 years ago and currently serves as
account services director. Throughout her tenure at Kruzic Communications,
Amy has assisted with the development, coordination and execution of public
relations plans for many of Kruzic's premier travel and tourism industry
clients including Sheraton Steamboat Springs Resort, Hotel Monaco Denver,
Estrella del Mar, The Broadmoor, Vail Cascade Resort & Spa, Maggiano’s
Little Italy, The Premier Marketplaces of The Rouse Company, Kansas Travel &
Tourism Division, Warwick Denver Hotel, McCormick’s Seafood Restaurants,
Telluride & Mountain Village Visitor Services and the St. Julien Hotel &
Spa.
Additionally, she has coordinated and executed countless campaigns and
events including the Colorado Travel Media Marketplace, a statewide tourism
event targeted to members of the travel media and the Mexico City launch of
the “Club Estrellas” premier shopping program, an international retail
program with America’s Premier Shopping Places.
Amy graduated cum laude from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s
degree in journalism, with a public relations emphasis and a minor in
Spanish. A member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), she and
her husband Kris live in Highlands Ranch with their son Kellan, and daughter
Molly.
Janie McCullough
Kruzic Communications, Inc. Marketing & PR Partner
Janie McCullough opened her own marketing consulting firm, McCullough
Marketing, in 1996, specializing in marketing and communications for the
tourism and hospitality industry. Prior to establishing McCullough
Marketing, Janie served as Vice President of Marketing for Colorado Ski
Country USA. Since opening her company in 1996, Janie has worked with a
number of tourism related clients representing various segments of the
tourism industry. A brief sampling includes: United Vacations, Destination
Colorado, The Silvertree Properties, Waco CVB, Tourism Industry Association
of Colorado and BEWI Productions.
McCullough Marketing services have included the development and
implementation of comprehensive marketing plans, public relations for
individual communities, associations and special events, and client
representation with other industry tourism partners. Janie is a graduate of
Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. She is married with twins.
Allison McGee Johnson
Kruzic Communications, Inc., Account Services
Allison McGee Johnson has more than 16 years experience in communications
and marketing for public, private, government and nonprofit entities. Before
entering the consulting business, she was director of communications for the
Gill Foundation in Denver, a $225 million social justice foundation and one
of Colorado’s largest. Prior, as director of public relations for
Destination Hotels & Resorts, she developed and implemented marketing,
advertising, collateral and public relations efforts for a portfolio of 25
independent, luxury hotels. Allison has more than five years experience in
both Denver and Washington, D.C. public relations agencies. Current and
recent projects include media relations and branding for the Hotel Monaco
Denver, retail announcements for FlatIron Crossing shopping center,
community relations and messaging for shopping center developments across
the country, media relations and travel programs for Central City Parkway,
and much more.
Allison graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in marketing,
and moved to Denver in 1995, where she lives with her husband and two
children.
Amber Broughton
Account Services Manager
Amber joined the Kruzic Communications team as support staff upon graduation
in December 2006 from Metropolitan State College of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in journalism with
an emphasis in public relations and a minor in sociology. Amber assists in the
coordination and execution of a number of public relations and marketing tourism
projects for a variety of clients. Amber also assists Janie McCullough, a Kruzic
Communications partner, in managing and coordinating efforts for Destination
Colorado.
A native of Michigan, Amber relocated to the Denver area in July 2000. Amber currently lives in Greenwood Village with her husband, Steven.
Awards / Memberships / Etc.
Active Memberships:
Active membership in select organizations leads to improved networking, communications and partnerships. Memberships in these selected
professional organizations have and continue to afford many benefits for our clients.
- Les Dames d’Escoffier – Denver chapter
- Board of Directors, 2006-2007
- Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)
- Board of Directors, 1993 - 1996
- Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
- Public Relations Co-Chair, 2004-2005
- Denver Metro CVB
- Marketing Committee, 2000-2006
- Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA)
- Public Relations Committee, 2004-2006
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Special Awards:
Recognition from professional organizations and colleagues indicate a high level of achievement and respect in the fields of marketing
and public relations.
- CH&LA Galen Drake Allied Award, 2007
- Society of American Travel Writers’ President’s Award, 2003
- Public Relations Program of the Year, Denver Metro CVB, 1994
- National Council of State Travel Directors Marketing & Promotions Creativity Award, 1987
- National Council of State Travel Directors Special Promotions Award, 1987
- State Travel Director of the Year, TIA, 1985
- National Travel Marketing Award, TIA, 1983
Special Advantages:
Years of working with media across the nation have resulted in excellent personal and professional relationships. A media contact
database of more than 5,000 active journalists, ranging from business (e.g., Wall Street Journal), to consumer travel (e.g., Travel
& Leisure), to travel trades (e.g., Meeting & Incentives, USAE, Travel Weekly), to sports (e.g., Sports Illustrated), offers access
to local, national and international print and broadcast journalists. Wire services (e.g., AP), national daily newspapers (USA Today)
and television/radio networks (e.g., CBS News) are integral parts of the database.
- Well established local and state media contacts
- Well established regional/drive market media contacts
- Expansive and diverse local, national and international media contacts with a travel, sports and business focus
- Ability to dovetail projects and contacts with other clients, minimizing time and expenditures
- 25-years of public relations and marketing experience
- Extensive local, national and international network of professional and industry colleagues